Graduation season always makes me reflective. In this first short solo episode from my new Making Life Work series, I share some thoughts from commencement weekend at Texas State University.  The stories unfolding behind every graduate walking across the stage — stories about growth, creativity, and figuring out what comes next.

Our students have experience in journalism and storytelling projects, student media, internships, national competitions, and education abroad courses.  I also reflect on my own unexpected journey from journalism and public relations into higher education.

This episode also features remarks from Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse recognizing graduates, mentors, faculty, family members, and the support systems that help students move forward.

In this Episode

• Graduation and personal growth
• Student success and storytelling
• Internships, study abroad, and leadership experiences
• Reinvention, uncertainty, and career journeys

Thanks for listening to Stories of Change & Creativity — documenting growth and making life work, one story at a time.

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Check out my TEDx talk.  Why you should take action - then figure it out.

In this Mother’s Day episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam talks with her daughters, Danielle and Jessica, about adoption, family, and experiences that shape identity and creativity.

Judy reflects on the decision to adopt from China.  She shares how motherhood changed her understanding of creativity and personal growth.

Dani and Jess share their perspective on parenting, identity, and what it means to grow together across generations. They also talk about foster families, adoption stories, and the Chinese belief in the “red thread of fate” — the invisible connection between people who are meant to find one another.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How adoption shaped Judy’s journey to motherhood
• Lessons children teach parents about creativity and perspective
• Reflections on infertility, IVF, and adoption
• The meaning behind the “red thread of fate”

Memorable Comments

• “There’s no rulebook when it comes to parenting.”
• “Maybe we all have red threads in our lives.”
• "I always like to say that in every lifetime I think that you're my mother."
  - Jess

If you enjoy conversations about adoption, motherhood, famil, and personal growth, this episode is for you.

Follow Danielle Oskam on Instagram: @danioskam

Follow Jessica Oskam on Instagram: @jessicaoskam

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How innovation is transforming Texas—and where the biggest opportunities are emerging.

In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I had the chance to talk with entrepreneur Justin McKenzie, host of The Building Texas Show. We explore innovation across Texas—from small towns to major cities—and discuss workforce development and emerging industries.

Justin shares insights from his career journey, along with lessons from interviewing leaders across the state.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in innovation and career opportunities in Texas.

You’ll Learn

• Where innovation is happening across Texas
• Why workforce development matters for future jobs
• How local leaders shape economic growth
• About Justin's passion for Texas and Texas State University 
• Advice for entrepreneurs and students

Key Takeaways

• Opportunity exists across Texas—not just in big cities
• Strong communities and leadership drive innovation
• The future of work is evolving quickly
• Success starts with taking action and learning as you go

About Justin

Justin McKenzie is an entrepreneur and host of The Building Texas Show, a podcast focused on highlighting innovation and economic development across Texas. He is a two-time Texas State graduate with experience in manufacturing, startups, and workforce strategy.

• Follow Justin McKenzie on LinkedIn
  
  
• Visit The Building Texas Show website
  
  
• Subscribe on YouTube

This interview was recorded at Live Oak Studios on the campus of Texas State University. 

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What does it really mean to solve a problem in the age of AI?

In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I sat down with Dr. Aniruddha Bora, assistant professor of computer science at Texas State University, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we think about problem solving.  I met Dr. Bora when I moderated a panel at South by Southwest (SXSW) at Texas House as part of the Texas State University Global Innovation Roundup.

From his early interest in science in India to his work in applied mathematics, Dr. Bora shares how interdisciplinary thinking can lead to meaningful innovation. I found Bora to be smart, kind and a joy to be around.  His energy is contagious.    

Key Takeaways

• Problem solving starts with the right questions—not just the right tools
• AI is most powerful when combined with mathematics and real-world data
• Innovation often happens at the intersection of disciplines
• Understanding what you don’t know is essential to learning
• The future of education is about guiding curiosity, not just delivering answers

Why This Episode Matters

As AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, the ability to think critically and solve meaningful problems is more important than ever. This episode offers a fresh perspective on how curiosity and creativity can drive real-world impact.

Learn more about Dr. Aniruddha Bora, assistant professor of computer science at Texas State University, and his work in artificial intelligence and real-world applications here.

This podcast episode was recorded at the Live Oak Podcast Studio at Texas State University.  Photo by Texas House. 

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a colleague, student, or friend who’s interested in AI and creative problem solving.

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How does experiential learning prepare college students for real-world careers? 

At Texas State, journalism students don’t just study reporting — they do it. They cover major news events and interview real people.  Students report on impactful stories like the aftermath of the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and the 2025 deadly Central Texas flooding.  

 In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam talks with Dino Chiecchi, associate professor of practice at Texas State University.  He's a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of newsroom experience. 

During our conversation, we explore how classroom instruction meets professional practice.  We talk about why mentorship and real-world experience matter in higher education.

What You’ll Learn

• Why experiential learning helps students build professional skills
 • How expert faculty elevate classroom learning
 • The importance of mentoring in developing confidence and resilience
 • How students can publish meaningful work before they graduate
 • Why telling the stories about real people matters

The articles written by Texas State University students were published in the Austin American Statesman and the Texas Standard.  Check out the SJMC website for more information.  

You can learn more about Professor Chiecchi's book here:
Josue: A Young Man's Life Lost to Suicide.  

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If you’re a high-achieving professional who feels successful everywhere except your health, this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity might be for you.  I can certainly relate!

Many driven professionals excel in their careers but struggle with health in midlife because they apply the same optimization mindset that works at work to their bodies. In this episode, Judy Oskam talks with Tony Sherock, Certified Personal Trainer— Health Behavior Specialist and Tiny Habits® Certified Coach.  He explains how identity-based habits can create lasting health change.

This conversation reframes health as part of who you are, not another project to manage. You’ll walk away with practical insights you can apply immediately to rebuild your health in a way that lasts.

What You’ll Learn

• Why high-achieving professionals often struggle with health in midlife
• Why traditional diets and fitness plans fail busy professionals over 40
• The role identity plays in health behavior change
• How tiny, adaptable habits create lasting health improvements

About Tony Sherock

Tony Sherock is a Health Behavior Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, and Tiny Habits® Certified Coach. He is the founder of Habits To Health – Tony Sherock, LLC, and works with busy midlife professionals (40+) who are juggling demanding careers, family life, and caregiving responsibilities.

Tony helps high achievers rebuild their health by shifting away from fast, optimized effort toward slow, sustainable habit change that fits real life. His work is informed by a background in broadcasting and higher education, as well as his own personal health transformation—from being pre-diabetic and on multiple medications to creating lasting change through behavior science.

https://www.habitstohealthcoach.com/

You can find Tony Sherock on Facebook, Instagram, & Skool:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1605709083060117

https://www.instagram.com/tonysherock_habits_to_health/

https://www.skool.com/the-habit-hub

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If you’re a fan of Outlander, the historical fiction series set in Scotland, like I am, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I talk with Dr. Alexandra “Alex” Dold, a literary scholar and historian known as the “Doctor of Outlander,” about her academic journey and career path.  We discuss how historical fiction can become public history — inviting people to connect with history beyond textbooks and classrooms.

During this episode, you’ll learn how Outlander and other historical fiction can build bridges between fans, public audiences, and academic inquiry. Alex also shares insights from her own path — from studying literature in Germany to completing a PhD in Scotland on Outlander as public history.  You'll hear how that journey reshaped her understanding of how stories can make reading and history more accessible for everyone.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How historical fiction functions as public history
• Why stories like Outlander make history feel accessible and emotionally resonant
• Dr. Alex Dold’s academic journey — from pursuing language and literature to transforming it into public-facing scholarship
• Practical ways listeners can continue engaging with history and reading outside formal academic spaces

Why This Matters

Historical fiction often gets dismissed as “just entertainment.” Alex’s work reframes it as public history.  It's a way that everyday readers and viewers connect with the past and develop meaningful questions. This episode invites listeners to:

• see the Outlander stories they love as gateways to learning,
• recognize curiosity as a valid path to knowledge, and
• think about how reading habits can lead to deeper exploration.

Guest Info

Dr. Alexandra “Alex” Dold is a literary scholar and historian whose research focuses on historical fiction as public history. She completed her PhD in history examining the Outlander novels at the University of the Highlands and Islands, Centre for History, Dornoch.  Dr. Dold explored the role of Outlander in shaping how people engage with history beyond traditional academic spaces. 

You can find out more about Dr. Dold and her scholarship below:
https://alexdold.com/

Outlander

Dr. Diana Gabaldon is the author of the award-winning The Outlander series.  You can learn more about about the series and Diana here.  

The final season of Outlander airs in March 2026.

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In this music-filled episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam sits down with singer-songwriter and education leader Dr. Candace Hastings to explore what it means to live a creative life of purpose.  They talk about identity, community, and meaning. Along the way, you’ll hear excerpts from Candace’s new album, including “Soft Place to Land” and “Horses I Left Behind,” songs shaped by memory, place, and belonging.

Dr. Hastings is the Associate Vice Provost for the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship at Texas State University, an acclaimed Americana singer-songwriter and a tribal member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Her Potawatomi name is Mskwagishgokwe [Red Sky Woman].  Candace shares how being adopted and later discovering her Indigenous heritage helped her come “full circle,” shaping both her leadership and her songwriting. This episode features excerpts of Candace’s music, including “Soft Place to Land” and “Horses I Left Behind.”

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How Candace integrates creative practice and leadership in higher education
• How identity and heritage shape her songwriting 
• The Potawatomi concept of mno-bmadzewen - walking in a good way on the earth—a life guided by balance, responsibility, and relationship with community and the land
• Why curiosity and creativity are essential for learning, teaching, and innovation
• How work and play overlap when your work is aligned with meaning 

Creativity and Letting the Song Lead

Candace describes her musical genre as Americana—and says each song “tells her what it needs to be.” Sometimes that means swing (as in “Lone Star Christmas”) and sometimes it means a fully layered studio production.

The song “Horses I Left Behind,” was written during Candace’s trips to Oklahoma where she deepened her connection to her Potawatomi roots. She told me that she later learned she drove past the cemetery where her grandmother was buried.  This gives special meaning to the song.  

Candace has a new album coming out in spring 2026, featuring the following songs:

• Soft Place to Land (title track)
• Horses I Left Behind
• Love and Cowboys 
• It’s Too Damn Hot 
• Call Your Mama 

You can find out more about Candace Hastings and her music here:
 
 https://www.candacehastings.com/

This episode was recorded at Live Oak Studios on the campus of Texas State University.  

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What do you say when someone you love is dying—and you know your time together is limited? In this practical and compassionate episode, Judy Oskam talks with Dr. Maureen Keeley, a leading researcher on end-of-life communication, from Texas State University.  

Dr. Maureen Keeley offers a research-based framework for anyone caring for an aging parent, supporting a loved one through illness, or anticipating loss.  Listeners will learn what matters most in end-of-life conversations and how small, everyday moments can become the memories that last a lifetime.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How to rethink “final conversations” so you don’t wait until it’s too late
• Why there is no perfect goodbye
• How everyday routines can provide comfort, meaning, and connection at the end of life
• How these conversations help you, not just the person who is dying

 The Six Themes of Final Conversations (Research-Based)

1. Love messages – expressing love, reassurance, affection, and presence
2. Identity messages – affirming strengths, values, and who someone has been in your life
3. Spiritual or religious messages – faith, meaning, beliefs about death or the afterlife
4. Everyday talk – routine conversations, humor, shared activities, normal life
5. Healing difficult relationships – addressing unresolved tension, softening anger, finding peace
6. Taking care of the business of death and dying – wishes, living wills, memorial plans, passwords, and practical guidance

Dr. Maureen Keeley is a Professor of Interpersonal Communication at Texas State University.  She has studied end-of-life communication for more than two decades.  

Check out Dr. Keeley's TEDX talk. 

You can find Dr. Keeley and Dr. Yingling's book below: 

The Good Goodbye:  The Transformative Power of Conversation at the End of Life by Maureen P. Kelley, Ph.D. and Julie M. Yingling, Ph.D. 

This episode was recorded at Live Oak Studios on the campus of Texas State University.

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January is often framed as a month of restriction—Dry January, less sugar, less indulgence, less everything. But what if January wasn’t about giving things up? What if it was about trying?

In this Try January episode, Judy Oskam weaves together powerful insights from past conversations to explore how meaningful change begins. Experts comment on building identity capital and setting goals, mentorship, creativity, adventure, and kindness.  This episode reminds us that change often starts with a choice… and the courage to try.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why trying is powerful 
• How everyday choices shape identity and personal growth
• An effective way to think about goals: learning vs. performance
• The lasting impact of mentorship and paying it forward
• How stepping into unfamiliar places can transform who we become
• Why creativity begins with our surroundings
• A gentle reminder to be kind—to others and to yourself

Featured Voices 

• Dr. Meg Jay, psychologist and author, on identity capital and why we are shaped by what we do, not just who we think we are. You can hear our podcast interview here.  
• Caroline Adams Miller, goal-setting expert, on dreaming boldly and balancing learning goals with performance goals.  We discussed Caroline's goal strategy in our 2025 interview.  
• Dr. Kelly Damphousse, President of Texas State University, on mentorship and paying it forward.  I'm honored Dr. Damphousse was my 100th podcast episode.  
• Wendy Conklin, artist and founder of Chair Whimsy, on how our environments spark joy and creativity.  Wendy wrote the book on creativity - you can find it here.
• Dr. Cliff Redford, veterinarian and global adventurer, on kindness.  You can listen to our interview at this link.  
• Students Jamin Ochoa and Angie Olmos, reflecting on how studying abroad in Scotland changed their perspective and confidence.  Check out my Scotland mini series here. 

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need encouragement to try something new this January. 

Thanks for listening—and here’s to making it a Try January

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